Overview & Reviews

Since its pioneering days in the 1990s as the first full-size luxury SUV, the Lincoln Navigator has always been a traditional truck-based SUV with standard V8 power. Over the course of its three generations, the Navigator has offered seating for seven to eight and plenty of cargo and towing capacity. As such, it often appeals to large families and/or those with a boat or trailer to tow.

Drawbacks to the early Navigators included subpar fuel economy, sluggish acceleration, sloppy handling and an interior that didn't really live up to other luxury brands. Although the current Lincoln Navigator is certainly the most advanced, those drawbacks continue to this day when stacked up against its rivals. Add in a retro interior design that looks both intentionally and unintentionally dated, and you get a full-size luxury SUV that is far past its prime.

Current Lincoln Navigator
The current Lincoln Navigator is a full-size SUV styled and equipped for an upscale audience. It shares the bulk of its underpinnings with the Ford Expedition, including its standard 310-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. Navigator buyers have a choice between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.

The Navigator is offered in one well-appointed trim level that includes 18-inch wheels, three-row seating for seven (with captain's chairs in the second row), leather upholstery, multizone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second- and third-row seats, Sync voice activation, a navigation system, Bluetooth, a power liftgate, power-folding third-row seats and a 14-speaker surround-sound audio system. Stand-alone options include 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, a heavy-duty tow package and a dual display rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

The ability to seat adults comfortably in all three rows of seats is the Lincoln Navigator's greatest advantage over other full-size competitors, most notably the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's independent rear suspension allows for a lower floor, which opens up more rear legroom while providing fold-flat capability for the third row. Besides its dated interior and cumbersome driving dynamics compared to more modern SUVs, the Navigator also suffers from lackluster acceleration and fuel economy.

Used Lincoln Navigator Models
The present, third-generation Navigator took to the stage in 2007 with significant updates to the exterior styling, frame and rear suspension, along with larger brakes, higher-quality cabin furnishings and additional sound insulation. These changes added significantly to curb weight, but yielded tidier handling dynamics and a quieter, more refined ride.

The 2007 refresh also brought about a pronounced, chrome-heavy grille design that was reminiscent of an early 1960s Continental as well as a similarly retro-inspired cabin design that further differentiated the Navigator from its Expedition roots. Two years later the Navigator gained 10 more hp, Ford's Sync voice control system and a more advanced, hard-drive-based navigation system that allowed voice activation. Only minor feature updates have occurred since.

For other used Navigators, you'll want to check out the two previous generations. The second generation was in production from 2003-'06 and featured many revisions inside and out, compared to the first generation. In addition to a larger grille and numerous other styling changes, this variant was the first to incorporate a six-speed transmission and an independent rear suspension. One of the more prominent interior alterations included a symmetrical, dual-cockpit layout also inspired by vintage Lincoln Continentals.

Consumers looking at used Lincoln Navigators would be wise to confine their search to 2005 and newer models, as Navigators sold in 2003 and '04 had an older version of the 5.4-liter engine. It had a 300-hp rating but produced less torque than the current engine. It also came paired to a less sophisticated four-speed automatic transmission. Safety-conscious buyers should note that Navigators sold before '07 did not have front-seat side airbags and only provided side curtain coverage for the first two rows of seating. Stability control was optional rather than standard, up until the '05 model year.

The first generation Lincoln Navigator was sold from 1998-2002. It arrived one year after Ford's Expedition hit the market and was basically a rebadged version of that vehicle but with softer leather, extra wood grain trim and additional chrome detailing. The differences weren't so easy to spot, especially on the inside where Lincoln's dash design hardly differed at all. In fact, the Navigator's most noticeable distinction over the Expedition was its higher price, and indeed the first-gen Navigator enjoyed one of the highest profit margins of any vehicle on the market.

First-year Navigators were considered underpowered, as a 230-hp 5.4-liter V8 was their sole source of motivation. Things improved in 1999 when the Navigator got exclusive access to a 300-hp, double-overhead-cam version of the 5.4-liter V8. Compared to today's large SUVs, the first-gen Navigator was decidedly trucklike in its demeanor. Continual course correction was necessary to keep it pointed straight ahead on the highway, and the steering had a disconnected feel, whether you were finessing the Lincoln into a parking space or going around a curve at speed.

If you're shopping for a used Lincoln Navigator from this generation, it's a good idea to pay attention to the year-by-year changes. In addition to the more powerful V8, 1999 Navigators gained power-adjustable pedals and more easily removable third-row seats (thanks to rollers mounted on the bottoms). For 2000, the Navigator received front-seat side airbags, much needed optional rear parking sensors and a CD-based navigation system. Rear-seat video entertainment

User Reviews:

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  SUV Standard - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Dannewitz - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This is what an SUV should be. Roomy, quiet, luxurious, full of options, and powerful.

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  Great Luxury Truck - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By kevin chittenden - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I have owned vehicle 7 months and have driven 15000 miles with no problems whatsoever. Love all the creature comforts compared to previously owned suburban. Acceleration is adequate but could be improved. Gas mileage is 11 town and 15 - 16 highway. I trade every 2 years and would consider purchasing this vehicle again.

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  Driving my Beast! - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Linny - April 9 - 3:43 am

  I have had 3 Jeeps, 1 Honda Pilot and none compare to my 2005 Navi. I bought it recently 20,000 miles. Just awesome all the way around. Black in color with all the trimmings...totally loaded. I actually have gotten a little better mpg than I had imagined. Very comfy even in the third road. I am going to invest in the Catch all brand of floor mats to protect the carpet and who could ask for more??? Love it! loVe iT! LOVE IT!

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  Love my Navigator - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By Kathy Smith - April 7 - 3:16 am

  This vehicle is a supurb piece of equipment that is classy and comfortable. I have pulled a semi weighing 80,000lbs. that was stuck on ice, pulled a truck from a snowy ditchbank, drug a tree log that we dropped in the back yard, pulled out overgrown bushes around the house and have traveled many miles with my grankids. I cant say enough about the performance and comfort of this SUV. There isnt another vehicle that I have been more pleased and proud to own. It is a workhorse and yet is classy and comfortable.

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  lincoln number one - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By TExarhos - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This SUV rides like a luxury car. I compared it to the Escalade and Toyota Sequioa and felt it was a much better ride and handled with better control

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  best suv ever - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By dude - February 17 - 1:50 am

  This suv draws a lot of attention I get all kinds of compliments of how good it looks.I love the smooth ride with little wind noise at high speed. this is one beautiful truck.

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  A very dissapointing experience! - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By AJ - February 12 - 4:53 am

  After 8 months no issues with drivetrain except for poor gas milage 13.1 mpg. Interior fit and finish is horrible. Excessive wind noise from drivers window. Many rattles coming from cheap plastic components such as glove box, a/c vents, 2nd row storage console, and dvd player. Quality in leather is marginal at best. Carpets are starting to show signs of wear after 10k miles. Dealer is not geared to fix these type of quality issues at their location, very frustrating. Will not purchase any Lincoln or Cadillac product again. Very nice on the surface with 0 miles, 8 months into is a different story. Looking at MB GL450, Audi Q7, will unload this Navigator at a huge loss. I hope this will help.

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  2006 Navigator, my 4th - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By hilnavigator - February 10 - 10:36 am

  After having a 1998, 2001, 2003, and now a 2006 Navigator, I must say the 2003 overall ride/performance was the best. The 2006 engine noise is more on hard acceleration, the 6 speed transmission still has shift issues, especially in slow traffic, lots of clunking and ruff shifts. My 06 now has only 18,000 miles. Need for premium gas is a negative when gas was running 4 plus bucks a gallon. Could have better ride on rough roads, original Michelin tires ride not as good as Continentals. Replaced with Pirelli 20 in, as supplied on 2007s, nice riding tires, & looks great with 07 rims, but a noisy bumpy ride for first 10 minutes till they round out, but great in snow. Lower radiator hoseclamp failed

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  a top guy - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By SuitHotter - February 8 - 10:00 am

  The suv 4x4 presents its beautyful interior and nice panel control. not for 07 persons but for 05 guys and a lot of stuff carried on. Its imposing body makes it move firmly on roads.

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  BEAST - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By romebm - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I have taken this vehicle off road too, I love it.